Hi all,

Happy Friday. Let’s get to it:

• Texas hemp issue becomes political football

And so much more!

Alex

*

Advertise in WeedWeek

We now offer high-impact ad formats on our web site.

Book a call with with our partner Liqwid for details.

 Our advertising policy

*

Send tips, press releases, concerns, feedback and criticism to hello@weedweek.com

*

Sensitive material to share? Contact Alex on Signal.

With the June 22 deadline for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to sign or veto the hemp-derived products ban approaching, Abbott hasn’t clarified his intention. The fate of an $8B industry in the balance.

The ban has caused a rift between its champion, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, (R) and his very conservative base. One hardline conservative state lawmaker who voted against the ban said it contradicted “the Texas mantra of being pro-business, pro-farmer and pro-veteran.”
Texas Tribune

• “What lives were destroyed by low grade THC shops, Dan? Can you name one?” Kenny Webster, a Houston conservative talk radio host, posted on social media.

Critics argue that Patrick’s push for the bill on public health grounds is undercut by his support from the alcohol industry.
Austin County News Online

• The state’s small MED industry, which has struggled to compete with hemp, supports the  proposed ban.
  Houston Chronicle
• More Texas GOP primary voters oppose the ban than support it. Patrick is up for re-election next year.
  San Antonio Current

Federal:

• A GOP led House committee called for an investigation of the Biden administration process which led to its rescheduling recommendation.
  Marijuana Moment
• Could Congress act on hemp before cannabis?
  MJBiz

Business: 

• MSO Verano could have to pay $860M if it loses a lawsuit involving a failed acquisition of rival Vireo Growth.
  Crain’s Chicago Business
• Nationwide, business licensing was stable in early 2025.
  MJBiz
• The mood was reportedly subdued at the Benzinga Cannabis Conference in Chicago.
• Tennessee-based hemp-derived cannabinoid maker Volunteer Botanicals is now the official provider of the Independent [Beer] Brewers Alliance.
• A California farmer calculated the environmental impact of the one-use RFID tags used to remain compliant in track and trace provider Metrc. Metrc has said it is rolling out tags that use 30% less plastic.
  @jade_grove_farm
• Custom Cones USA put out a list of the country’s 100 top pre-roll brands.
• A whistleblower suit against Metrc was dismissed but a related suit is ongoing.
• Berner is launching two new non-infused chips (snacks) companies.
  @berner415
• After seven years, Politico‘s Natalie Fertig is off the weed beat.

State and local:

• Eaze-owned Green Dragon shuttered a Denver grow.
  BusinessDen
• Cartoonist Brian “Box” Brown weighs in on his home state of Pennsylvania maybe legalizing REC.
  @boxbrown
• Missouri regulators will start doing surprise operator inspections next month.
  KOMU 
• With the REC market not yet open, Minnesota imposed a tax hike, giving it one of the highest rates in the country.
  Star-Tribune
• A Florida bill would revoke MED cards from people convicted of certain drug crimes.
  Marijuana Moment
• New York recalled product from a company called Indogrow for the presence of banned pesticides.
  Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

International:

• The Rastafarian Indigenous Village in Jamaica needs assistance, consultant Andrew DeAngelo posted.
• A German court seems to have OK’d weed for at least some prisoners.
  GreenState

Fun and interesting:

• A Wiz Khalifa “tiny desk concert” honored the anniversary of his breakout mix tape Kush & Orange Juice.
  NPR
• Rolling joints is now a spectator sport.
  Vice

State:

• The legislature’s budget bill rejected Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) request for more money to fight the unlicensed market.
  WeedWeek

Business:

• The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) is holding a June 23 call on a disputed tax rule.
  WeedWeek
• Distributor Nabis now has hubs in the Bronx and Rochester, N.Y. 
• California cannabis licenses are now “effectively worthless,” according to one broker. SFGate found a store in Oxnard where you can take the license for the cost of taking over the lease of an unopened store.
• After acquiring a New York license, Leef Brands is now an MSO.

Local:

• The easiest way to get tickets for SF’s Stern Grove festival is to buy weed. It has partnered with Solful‘s shop in the Sunset District.
  SF Chronicle
• San Diego city council will weigh expanding hours for dispensaries.
  Times of San Diego
• KRCR profiles local cannabis and coffee shop Gold Rush in Eureka (Humboldt Co.).
• Santa Monica advanced a retail ordinance with an equity focus.
  Santa Monica Daily Press
• Lake County may redo its rules.
  Lake County News
• “The smell of weed is in the air,” at ICE protests in LA.
  HuffPost